Evolution of giant pandoravirus revealed by CRISPR/Cas9

Hugo Bisio (), Matthieu Legendre, Claire Giry, Nadege Philippe, Jean-Marie Alempic, Sandra Jeudy and Chantal Abergel ()
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Hugo Bisio: Unite Mixte de Recherche 7256 (Institut de Microbiologie de la Mediterranee, FR3479, IM2B), 13288
Matthieu Legendre: Unite Mixte de Recherche 7256 (Institut de Microbiologie de la Mediterranee, FR3479, IM2B), 13288
Claire Giry: Unite Mixte de Recherche 7256 (Institut de Microbiologie de la Mediterranee, FR3479, IM2B), 13288
Nadege Philippe: Unite Mixte de Recherche 7256 (Institut de Microbiologie de la Mediterranee, FR3479, IM2B), 13288
Jean-Marie Alempic: Unite Mixte de Recherche 7256 (Institut de Microbiologie de la Mediterranee, FR3479, IM2B), 13288
Sandra Jeudy: Unite Mixte de Recherche 7256 (Institut de Microbiologie de la Mediterranee, FR3479, IM2B), 13288
Chantal Abergel: Unite Mixte de Recherche 7256 (Institut de Microbiologie de la Mediterranee, FR3479, IM2B), 13288

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Giant viruses (GVs) are a hotspot of unresolved controversies since their discovery, including the definition of “Virus” and their origin. While increasing knowledge of genome diversity has accumulated, GV functional genomics was largely neglected. Here, we describe an experimental framework to genetically modify nuclear GVs and their host Acanthamoeba castellanii using CRISPR/Cas9, shedding light on the evolution from small icosahedral viruses to amphora-shaped GVs. Ablation of the icosahedral major capsid protein in the phylogenetically-related mollivirus highlights a transition in virion shape and size. We additionally demonstrate the existence of a reduced core essential genome in pandoravirus, reminiscent of their proposed smaller ancestors. This proposed genetic expansion led to increased genome robustness, indicating selective pressures for adaptation to uncertain environments. Overall, we introduce new tools for manipulation of the unexplored genome of nuclear GVs and provide experimental evidence suggesting that viral gigantism has aroused as an emerging trait.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36145-4

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